Contact Information

Auction FAQ

How do I register?

Registration takes place two days before the auction on Wednesday and Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Registration Location: Shasta County Tax Collector, 1450 Court Street, Room 227, Redding CA; Registration will NOT be permitted on the day of the auction. Click the Registration and Terms of Sale Form link.

A completed registration form is required with the following information:

Your Name

Your Address

Phone Number

Driver's License or other form of photo identification (i.e. passport).

Is a deposit required to participate in the bidding process?

Yes. You will be required to place a $500 deposit during registration. Bidders may NOT mail their deposit or registration form. Deposits must be in the form of cash or certified funds (cashier's check, certified bank check, money order or traveler's check (with proper identification). Make certified funds payable to: Lori J. Scott, Tax Collector. Deposits may be applied to the final bid purchase price. If the successful bidder does not remit full sale payment timely (at recess and by end of auction), the bidder's deposit may be forfeited, along with any rights the bidder may have in the property. Unsuccessful bidders may request their deposit refund at any time by returning their bid paddle to the Shasta County Tax Collector, Room 227. Assigned bid paddles will be handed out the day of the auction from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in front of the Board of Supervisors Chamber. You will need to present your driver's license (or other form of ID) and submit the deposit receipt you received at registration to obtain your assigned bid paddle.

Do I need to research the parcel(s) before bidding?

Yes. Inspect thoroughly before you buy. The sale of "tax-defaulted" properties should not be equated to real estate sales by licensed sales people, brokers or realtors. The Tax Collector cannot guarantee the condition of the property nor assume any responsibility for conformance to codes, permits or zoning ordinances. Before tax auctioned property is purchased it is absolutely necessary that the prospective purchaser (bidder) research the records pertaining to the property. Some of the offices to check with are: Planning Department, Building Inspector, Environmental Health Department, Recorder's Office, Assessor's Office, etc. Tax-Defaulted property will be sold on an "AS IS" basis. The County assumes no liability for any other possible encumbrances recorded or not recorded.

It is possible that property sold at the tax auction may not be developable under existing laws. While all possible assistance is given in locating properties on maps, the exact location, desirability and usefulness of the property must be researched and determined by the prospective purchaser.

All bidders should review each recorded document concerning the property. These documents are public records in the Recorder's Office.

It is very important that you research each property thoroughly before you invest your money. Once the property is sold, all liability will be that of the purchaser.

What happens if I am the winning bidder?

Full payment and Deed Information Form indicating how title should be taken is required immediately during recess and upon conclusion of the sale. The successful bidder must pay the full purchase price plus the Documentary Tax of 55 cents per $500.00 of the sale price. NO PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED. If the minimum bid was reduced during the auction the successful bidder is also responsible to pay the current taxes. A personal check will be accepted for the current taxes. The current taxes can be paid up to April 10th without incurring additional penalties. The deed to purchaser will be sent to the recorder within ten business days after the date of the tax auction. Once the deed is recorded and returned (approximately 30 days) to the tax collector the original will then be mailed "certified" to the new owner per the address the new owner provided on the deed information form.

What happens if I am the winning bidder and I don't pay for the parcel?

Revenue and Taxation Code section 3456:

(a) If any part of a bid that was accepted by the tax collector is not paid when due, the county shall have a claim against the bidder for the actual cost of the sale. Immediately upon becoming past due, the tax collector shall notify the bidder by certified mail, which notice shall include all the following:

That his or her bid has been voided because of the delinquent payment.

The amount of the county's claim against the bidder.

That the amount of the claim will be deducted from any deposit submitted by the bidder and that any remaining amount of the deposit is forfeited.

(b) If a bidder does not pay the claim arising under subdivision (a) within 30 days after the notice is sent, both of the following apply:

The county may utilize any means authorized by law to collect the claim, including but not limited to, transferring the amount of the claim to the unsecured roll.

The tax collector may prohibit the bidder from bidding on sales made pursuant to this chapter for up to five years.

Must I have my funds available at the auction or will I have time to go to the bank?

Yes. You must have the funds during the auction. No. You will not have time to run to the bank. The auctioneer will call a recess (20-25 minutes) to allow the successful bidder(s) to pay. Any parcel sold after recess must be paid at the conclusion of the sale.

Can I mail in or submit a sealed bid for a property in the auction?

No. The public auction requires your presence, or that of your representative, to verbally bid upon the properties.

Can I obtain a property available at the tax sale by paying the delinquent taxes thereon prior to the tax sale date?

No. Legal title to tax-defaulted property subject to the tax collector's power to sell can be obtained only by becoming the successful bidder at the county tax sale.

Are mobile homes included in the property tax auction?

Personal property, such as mobile homes and equipment not "permanently affixed" to the land, is not included in our sale. It is up to the prospective purchaser to investigate these in advance of bidding.

How do I find or see a property I'd like to bid on at the tax sale?

While we try to give all possible assistance in helping prospective purchasers to pinpoint a property location, vacant land (which accounts for most property offered at our tax sale) has no address. Its approximate geographic location can be determined through the use of county assessor plat maps and perhaps, a map book. Exact boundary lines of a property can be determined only by a survey of the property initiated at the purchaser's expense. Improved properties frequently (but not always) will bear a situs (street) address, making it quite simple to assess the location.

Do liens or encumbrances on a tax-defaulted property transfer to the new owner after purchase of the property at a tax sale?

Chapter 7, §3712 states: The deed conveys title to the purchaser free of all encumbrances of any kind existing before the sale, except:

Assessments, which installments will become payable upon the secured roll after the time of the sale.

The lien for taxes or assessments or other rights of any taxing agency which does not consent to the sale under this chapter.

Liens for special assessments levied upon the property conveyed which were, at the time of the sale under this chapter not included in the amount necessary to redeem the tax-defaulted property, and, where a taxing agency which collects its own taxes has consented to the sale under this chapter, not included in the amount required to redeem from sale to the taxing agency.

Easements constituting servitudes upon or burdens to the property; water rights, the record title to which is held separately from the title to the property, and restrictions of record.

Unaccepted, recorded, irrevocable offers of dedication of the property to the public or a public entity for a public purpose, and recorded options of any taxing agency to purchase the property or any interest therein for a public purpose.

Unpaid assessments under the Improvement Bond Act of 1915 (Division 10 (commencing with §8500 of the Streets and Highways Code), which are not satisfied as a result of the sale proceeds being applied pursuant to Chapter 1.3 (commencing with §4671) of Part 8.

Any federal Internal Revenue Service liens, which, pursuant to provisions of federal law, are not discharged by the sale, even though the tax collector has provided proper notice to the Internal Revenue Service before that date. Note: A title search initiated at the prospective purchaser's expense should reveal any liens or encumbrances on a property in the tax sale.

Unpaid special taxes under the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 that are not satisfied as a result of the sale proceeds being applied pursuant to Chapter 1.3 (commencing with §4671) of Part 8.

When does the right to redeem a tax-defaulted parcel subject to the power to sell cease?

The right to redeem a tax-defaulted parcel subject to the power to sell ceases at the close of business on the last business day prior to the sale.

How can I determine what use I can make of a tax sale property before I purchase it?

Consult the zoning department of any city within which a property lies or the zoning section of the county department of planning and lane use for a parcel in an unincorporated area (i.e. not lying within a city boundary) regarding use of the parcel. Examine the county recorder's records for any recorded easements on a property. You can also order a title search report from a local title insurance company. Should the successful purchaser desire a survey of the property, this must be done at the purchaser's own expense.

How soon can I take possession of a property after my purchase at the tax sale?

You should consult an attorney. Generally, the successful bidder may take possession of a property after making payment in full, the tax deed to purchaser is recorded, and complying with any conditions set forth between the tax collector and the successful bidder. However, most title companies will not insure the title until one year after the tax deed is recorded. Therefore,it is not advisable to make any improvements to the property during the first year of ownership.

How is the minimum bid price on a property determined?

State law dictates that the minimum price offered at public tax sale shall be no less than the total amount necessary to redeem, plus costs. The minimum bid on a parcel can be set at a greater amount to assure collection of the amount of delinquent taxes, penalties and costs thereon.

Is a tax sale publicly advertised?

Yes. State law dictates that notice of a tax sale must be published three times in successive seven (7) day intervals before the tax sale date in a newspaper published in and of general circulation within the county.

As the new owner, when will I receive my deed from the auction?

The Tax Deed to Purchaser is submitted by the Tax Collector's office to the Shasta County Recorder within ten business days of the auction. Once the document is recorded the Recorder's office will hold it for 30 days. After 30 days the Recorder will return the Tax Deed to Purchaser to the Shasta County Tax Collector. The original Tax Deed to Purchaser will be mailed to the new owner by certified mail to the address provided to us by the new owner on the Deed Information Form.